Train-flagging device.



I E. L. VAN DRESAR.

TRAIN FLAGGING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20. |918.

Patented Mar. 18,1919. I

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STATES PATENT onirica.

ELMER L. VAN DRESAR, F ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

TRAIN-FLAGGING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 18, 1919.

Application led November 20, 1918. Serial No. 263,412.

f lowing is-a specification.

- closed at its inner end This invention relates to improvements in train iagging devices and more partlcularly to the type commonly used by track repairing crews.

An object of device, whereby the signaling Hag or target may be rigidly held a definite distance from the rail, in conformity to the usual rules adopted by railroad authorities.

A further object of the invention is to provide a flagging device designed to be disassembled, the parts, when -not in use, being telescopingly engageable to form a umtary whole, conveniently transportable from place to place.

The invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1. is a perspective View of the invention showing it in use/as applied to a rail. l

Fig. 2. is a perspective enlarged View of the invention, the signaling target not being shown.

Fig. 3. is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical section, of the invention showing it applied to the base of a rail, and

Fig. 4. is an end view showing two parts of the device in telescopic relation.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a pair of rails spacedly mounted on the usual transversely arranged ties, and B represents the at bottomed, outwardly tapered base of the rail.

Removably attached to the base of one of the rails and extending horizontally at right angles, outwardly away from said rails is the supporting member C comprising a comparatively long tubular body portion l by a plug riveted in position formed with an outwardly inclined hook or jaw 2, adapted to embrace the edge of the rail base and fitthe taper thereof. Adjacent the hook the body portion is flattened to form a seat 3 for the rail. rI he outer open end of the supporting member is screw threaded whereon removably fits the the invention is to provide a v closure cap 4. Fitting around the tubular bodyportion 1, and longitudinally slidable thereon, is the jaw 5 adapted to fit over the taper of the rail base opposite said first named jaw.

The set screw 6 constitutes means for rigidly holding the slidable jaw 5 positioned on the supporting member C, the jaw 5 having been previously slid to firmly press'the rail base into the jaw 2. The

openings of the jaws are sufficiently deep to receive rail bases of varying widths.

Piercing vertically the supporting member C near the outer end thereof, and spaced a suitable distance apart, are the openings 7 loosely receiving the rods 8 formed with a shoulder 9 to support them on the supporting member 0. At the tops the rods are joined together by a web of cloth 11 or the like, to form a fiag or indicating target whereby to warn approaching trains.

When not in use the rods are withdrawn from the supporting member C and the cloth rolled thereon as shows` in Fig. 3 whereafter the entire device is bodily inserted into the interior of the supporting member and the latter sealed with the Cap 4.

It will be noted that the flag is thus protected against the usual rough usage to which appliances are subjected, which are transported from place to place on hand cars. Further, the sliding jaw 5 is confined between the hook 2 and the cap 4 and cannot therefore become separated from the device.

I claim:

l. In a device of the class described, the combination with a rail, of a horizontal member detachably secured at one end to the base of the rail, and projecting outwardly away from the latter and a target removably supported on and above the outer end of saidv horizontal member, said horizontal member comprising a tube closed at its inner end and having a removable closure at the other end, for the purpose specified.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a rail, of a horizontal tubular member detachably secured to the rail, and projecting outwardly away from the latter, two vertical spaced openings piercing the upper and lower walls of the said tubular member near the outer end thereof, and

a target removably supported in said openings, said target including two rods each formed with a shoulder and fitting into said openings, for the purpose set forth.

3. A device of the class described, comprising a horizontal tubular outwardly eX- tending member having a hooked inner end, the hook thereof projecting beyond the outer surface of said tubular member, a cap of greater diameter than said tubular member at the outer end of the latter and a jaw slidable on said tubular member between said cap and hook, for the purpose specified.

4. A ydevice of the class described, the combination with a rail having a base, of a horizontal transverse hollow member detachably secured to the base of said rail, and a signal target removably supported on the outerv end of said horizontal member, comprising spaced rods joined together by a flexible target adapted to be wound upon said rods to lin presence of a witness.

be inserted into vthe hollow of said horizontal member.

5. A device of 'the class described, the combination with a rail, a horizontal tubular member closed at one end and connected thereat to said rail, a signal device'removably supportable on said tubular member and insertible into the open end thereof, and

la closure cap for said open end.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with a rail, a' horizontal member detahably secured to the lrail and a target removably supported at the outerend of said horizontal member said target comprising two Aseparated vertical rods spanned by a comparatively wide iat member at the top.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature ELMER L. VAN DRE'SAR. Witness:

GEORGE VOELKER. 

